MLB rumors: Stroman bluffing? Reds dragging feet on extension, Phillies favorite back on market

Is Marcus Stroman’s push for contract extension a bluff?

Marcus Stroman has been transparent as heck all season long. He’s been vocal about his love for playing at Wrigley Field and for the Cubs, and wants to come back. Coming back, though, involves a contract extension, since Stroman can become a free agent this offseason if he so chooses, thanks to the player option on the final year of his deal.

A Cy Young candidate in the National League this season, the Cubs have a decision to make with essentially three paths. The first path is the one that gets Stroman what he wants and keeps him at Wrigley for years to come.

The second path is that the Cubs trade him, cashing in while his value is sky-high. The thinking here is that Stroman, 32 years old, might be on the decline soon. Cashing in at the apex of his value would be ideal from a long-term team-building perspective, in theory.

The third path is that the Cubs hold onto him. This one involves a fair bit of risk, but it leads us into the topic at-hand here… Is Stroman bluffing?

Stroman’s clamoring for an extension all season long is a hint (albeit, not a guarantee or an explicit statement) that he would walk this offseason if he doesn’t get an extension now. After all, off his impressive performance this year, he could have any number of suitors offering him long-term deals for substantial earnings.

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, in a recent mailbag, said he felt Stroman would be willing to re-sign with the Cubs in the offseason. He “doubted” he would be entirely unwilling even if an extension isn’t offered.

Sharma isn’t reporting anything here, but his insider insight is important, and it tracks. Stroman, if he authentically loves playing in Chicago, why wouldn’t he re-sign this offseason if the Cubs don’t trade him and simply let his contract expire? Sure, players can sour over relationships with front offices even if they would prefer to stick around, but why give up a good thing if the Cubs offer in free agency is on-par with the market?